This week at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s brand new £3million locomotive, Tornado, is receiving its first coat of apple green paint, completing the building of Britain’s first full size steam locomotive in over 50 years.
A team from The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust headed up by NRM expert Tony Filby is currently working full steam ahead on the challenge of painting no. 60163 ready for her first passenger carrying mainline run on Saturday 31st January 2009.
During the painstaking painting process, from the very first brush stroke on the body work (Ian Matthews is seen, left, rubbing down the tender undercoat), right up to the final hand painted number on each side of the cab, Tornado will be stabled ‘behind the scenes’ in the NRM’s paint shop so its gleaming new appearance will surprise and delight its many supporters around the country.
As well as painting locomotives Tony’s steady hand (seen below with Ian Matthews, trying out tracing of the number) is also put to good use painting signs carriages and all manner of other jobs within the museum but his real passion is locomotives. He explains:
“To be a part of this great moment in locomotive history is a real high point in my career and as I retire in January I can’t think of a more fitting swan song. I didn’t think when I started this job in 1975 that I would be painting a brand new locomotive built in Britain, so it’s a great pleasure.”
David Elliott Director of Engineering, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, also describes this momentous event:
“I can’t believe this moment has finally come, 18 years in the making and finally Tornado is getting her apple green livery. I’ve dreamed of this moment since we started the project and it’s a dream come true that it’s finally here; I can’t wait to get Tornado on the mainline where she belongs!“
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For more information please contact:
Roy Gibson, Press and Marketing Assistant, NRM, tel: 01904 686262, email: roy.gibson@nrm.org.uk
Mark Allatt, Chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, tel: 07710 878979, email: mark.allatt@a1steam.com
Notes to editors:
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a registered charity, has built Peppercorn class A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado at its Darlington Locomotive Works.
After painting, Tornado will be on display at the NRM, Before making a journey to see Tornado at the NRM, please check the locomotive is available for public viewing on 0844 153 139 or www.nrm.org.uk
Fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics, Tornado is fully equipped for today’s main line railway. The class A1s were designed by Arthur H Peppercorn for the London & North Eastern Railway and 49 were built in 1948/49 by British Railways. However, following the dieselisation of the railways, all were scrapped by 1966. The project to build a new Peppercorn class A1 was launched in 1990 and after 18 years of planning, construction and fundraising the £3 million locomotive was completed in August 2008. Over £2.9m has been raised to-date through deeds of covenant, commercial sponsorship (principal sponsor William Cook Cast Products Limited) and through a bond issue. For details of how to help telephone 01325 4 60163, visit www.a1steam.com or email enquiries@a1steam.com.
The National Railway Museum is the largest railway museum in the world. Its displays and collections are the most comprehensive and significant in their field, illustrating the history of British railways and railway engineering from the industrial revolution to the present day and beyond. Special exhibitions, hands-on interactive displays, live interpreters in the exhibition halls and drama programmes all help tell the incredible story of the train and its effects on society. Since it opened in 1975, the NRM’s unique blend of education and entertainment has thrilled over 20 million visitors, young and old. More than just a great attraction, it has always aimed to give school children and the wider public a broader understanding of Britain's industrial achievement.